Vanessa

9.2

Here’s to exploring Fixin AOC, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy!

Fixin is home to 6 premier cru climats including Clos Napoléon. It’s primarily known for its Pinot Noir (approx. 96%) but also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Fixin rouge wines are sometimes compared to its neighbor to the south, Gevrey Chambertin AOC, but with a lighter body and profile. It can be a great source of value in an increasingly expensive region.

Tonight, we’re enjoying the 2019 Pierre Gelin Fixin rouge 1er Cru Clos Napoléon.

Clos Napoléon is also a monopole, owned exclusively by Domaine Pierre Gelin today. It’s a small but prestigious vineyard, situated on a hillside slope, with old vines dating back 70 years!

This property used to be owned by Claude Noisot, the surgeon to Emperor Napoléon, and the vineyard was formerly called “Aux Cheuzots.”

Claude Noisot renamed the property “Clos Napoléon” in honor of his famous patient and hired a renowned sculptor to create "Le Réveil de (the awakening of) Napoléon” – a nearby statue, featured on this label.

As for this particular wine, it’s beautiful! It’s medium ruby in color. Its bouquet is perfumed and layered with notes of black cherry, mulberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, red plum, fennel seed, fennel fronds, chervil, licorice, clove, cooked morel mushroom, wet earth, vanilla, and saddle leather. The palate is lively with bright acidity and smooth, polished tannins. The alcohol has a delicate warming presence and the finish lingers. — 2 months ago

with Deked1

Tianirra N

9.2

Extra old. Very good. — 4 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.0

Having had the Vignes centenaires cuvée right before made this seem very playful. This is a lovely wine. Lots of serious fun. — 5 years ago

leon egozi

9.2

More NY wine spectator — 4 months ago

Andrew Liguori

9.5

Passionfruit, honeysuckle, lychee, white flowers. Ethereal; Napoleon and Washington nailed it — 2 years ago

Gloria Schamis

9.5

…. pleasantly quite good on its own; but with some added fruit & brandy…. WOW 😊 — 3 years ago

David Kline

8.9

Smoky caramel-mocha nose shows broom straw and bamboo, vanilla bean, graphite, tea biscuit, cardamom, cinnamon-apple, attic nutmeg and cilantro. Rich and chocolate-y mouthfeel with warm cinnamon heat is exemplary. First taste puts the dully oaken nose to shame for insufficient suggestion. This thing brings a support beam of heavy oak in abundance. Cedar, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, tobacco; the gangs all here. Coffee is the magnet in the middle; two sugars, black, a millisecond before the heavy cream and drizzled caramel. Buckwheat, buckthorn, and dried pineapple are the lightning in this dark storm. Add ginger and dried lime and a drop of Fernet Branca and you’ve nailed it. Don Quixote used to nip this for breakfast. #brandy #cardinalmendoza #spanishbrandy #brandydejerez #soleragranreserva #jerez #sanchezromatehermanos #sanchezromate #grapespirit — 4 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

I don’t know how to evaluate this but it was excellent — 5 months ago

Christian Borges

10

OMG! Absolutely the best!!!
— 2 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Not usually an “after dinner drink” with dessert but this was fantastic! I am not a sherry fan but this was a fabulous brandy/sherry flavor that made me want more. Not overly sweet and almost a slight whiskey flavor as well. — 4 years ago